Queen + Adam Lambert at Ball Arena Denver

In a year of incredible shows, how can they keep getting more incredible? When Queen and Adam Lambert come to Denver, that’s how. As someone who watched Live Aid live in 1986 and also voted for Adam Lambert on American Idol, it was a concert many years in the making for me.

Queen, the legendary band who is now Brian May and Roger Taylor after Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991 and John Deacon’s subsequent retirement, is known for theatrical performances. The addition of Adam Lambert over a decade ago picked up that tradition and ran with it. What I loved most about the whole show is how there were many nods to Queen’s past – and to Freddie (including his image floating on the massive screens above the band at times and his vocals on “Bohemian Rhapsody”) – but also just letting Adam be Adam.

The setlist (below) was filled with faves as well as some deep cuts. Personally, I could not have asked for more. With no opening band, Queen just played and played. It was a loud rock and roll show that got plenty of us dancing. Imaginative graphics splashed across those huge screens and pyrotechnics reminded us this was QUEEN. The quintessential rock stars who know how to play big arenas.

But there were intimate moments too. A drum solo for Roger and several guitar solos for Brian. Adam sitting in front of a mirror for “Killer Queen” which was projected all around as he pretended to apply makeup.

Yes, I cried at least three times just taking it all in.

It was very clear they love playing together. There was spirit and passion in every song. These guys were not just phoning it in – and the Denver crowd was there for it. I often say that I am not a music critic and write from the place of a fan, and I really can’t express how much I was fangirling all night.

Sometimes you see a show and wonder how long a band can possibly continue. Queen was formed in 1970 (my birth year) and after their recent stop in Denver, I am hoping I can see them many, many more times before they pack it in. I have no excuse as to why this was my very first Queen concert, but I promise I will be first in line for their next one.

Queen + Adam Lambert – Denver Concert Photos

Photos displayed in random order. Click any thumbnail for a larger version. Then use the navigation arrows (or your keyboard arrow keys) to move left and right through the photographs.

Queen + Adam Lambert Setlist
11/05/23 Ball Arena, Denver

Machines (Or ‘Back to Humans’) / Radio Ga Ga
Hammer to Fall
Another One Bites the Dust
I’m in Love With My Car
Bicycle Race
Fat Bottomed Girls
I Want It All
A Kind of Magic
Killer Queen
Don’t Stop Me Now
Somebody to Love
Love of My Life
’39
Drum Solo by Roger Taylor
Under Pressure
Tie Your Mother Down
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
I Want to Break Free
You Take My Breath Away
Who Wants to Live Forever
Guitar Solo by Brian May
Is This the World We Created…?
The Show Must Go On
Bohemian Rhapsody

Encore:
Ay‐Oh
We Will Rock You
Radio Ga Ga
We Are The Champions
God Save the Queen

See other posts from Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center)!